Vulnerable

Chapter 13

Living in the suite is so lovely and makes me feel really good.

Tomiwa is a lovely company to hang around with. I wonder why Andy spoke so vile of her, she isn't all that bad to me. That reminds me, I haven't heard from Andy or my mum, It's been 2days now and tomorrow I would resume School.

Although the feeling of going back to school where I almost got r***d irks me but, what choice do I have ? I need to acquire more knowledge and although the idea of what course to major in isn't very clear to me yet, I know it's in the science category.

Even the thoughts of how my mother is supposed to pay for my University tuition fees cloud my mind. Maybe after writing WAEC, I would search for a job, so that I can save up and lessen the workload on mum.

I have to study really hard to pass my WAEC exams to have better chances into being accepted in the university of my choice, that choice which would be made based on the school with the lowest price of fees.

Its getting really hard to focus on my studies because my mind is usually swerved to the thoughts of Derrick.

He is very nice and I enjoy his company, I don't know what good I have done to deserve this kind treatment from him.

My mind keeps buzzing with thoughts on why he is being so nice to me. He probably wants something in return, right? Because I know personally that the world isn't really a nice place.

"How long have you known Derrick?" I asked Tomiwa who was seated at the small stool close to the bed as she filed her toe nails.

"A few months, why?" She asked

"I don't know, I'm just wondering why he is being so nice to me." I voiced my thoughts

"Isn't it obvious?" Tomiwa asked, raising her head and giving me a look.

"It is ?" I asked in all curiosity.

I definitely have no idea.

I don't know what to think

"You don't know, do you?"Tomiwa asked amusingly.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and nodded my head

"He obviously likes you"Tomiwa said

And I gave a frown as I said

"I know, I like him too but..." Tomiwa caught me short and said

"He has feelings for you, he cares about you. Don't you understand what I mean?"

"Oh... "I understand now.

I didn't really think about it that way.

What could he have seen in me to be attracted to me in that way?

Although the idea that he likes me in that way, makes me feel hot inside and I can feel a blush creeping into my skin and boom, my cheeks can't contain the new surge of energy. I bite my lower lips in a bid to control this feeling.

Tomiwa looks at me and a smile creeps her lip as she looks at me and broadened her smile, her eyes sparking with amusement.

"You like him too, don't you?" She asked, dropping the nail filer and walking towards me as she joined me on the bed.

My face felt hot and I don't know why it's so hard to control it.

I bit my lips, and jammed them more tightly together, moving it to the west.

"Not really, he is a nice guy and that's why I like him" I said in a bid to drop this topic

But Tomiwa would have none of it as she continued her questioning. This must be giving her some comical relief of some sort.

"Oh no. I'm not letting you off the hook like that. You think about him don't you? Perhaps thoughts of what his lips on yours would feel like or maybe hugging him and breathing in his cologne. Or wait has it escalated into wet dreams..."

"Oh my God! Please stop, this is embarrassing" I said, totally flustered.

"Admit it, you feel something for him don't you?" She asked

I did not give an answer

I'm yet to even admit it to myself

But, I do feel something for him, right from when we had that walk along our street.

"Don't you?" She pressed.

I quickly shook my head in a lousy bid to try to convince her that I felt nothing for him. More like trying to convince myself

"That's a lie. You do, your body reaction already gave enough away. I know you like him, I just want you to admit it but I can see you are in the denial stage. You would admit it soon. For now, I would let you be." Tomiwa said in a finalizing tone.

Atleast, that was over.

.....

Few hours later, Derrick came, asking if he could take me out.

I accepted.

I feel so giddy and dripping with anticipation to be out there.

I don't know how best to explain this exciting new feeling that I now feel.

My entire life until now has always been an accustomed routine with my father's daily cussing words thrown at me and me cleaning up his mess.

Now, I no longer get to hear his voice spitting and releasing bad words. I actually feel free. I didn't realize I wasn't free when I stayed with my family until I actually tasted this kind of freedom and it's feeling really good, unlike before.

For our outing, Derrick bought a few items for me.

He bought me a dress, which fitted me perfectly. It was a red knee - length plum dress, with a singlet hand.

Tomiwa made me up and packed my hair into a single bun. With my hair being natural and bulky, the bun size was almost looking like a hair extension. Tomiwa was able to successfully add a baby curl to my edges with the help of edge controller and gel.

I can't walk on heels because I never got to wear one before. So, I wore a silver laced sandal.

I also got a loop earring on with a clutch bag and I honestly look cute. Can't believe I'm the one I see in the mirror.

All this provided by Derrick. I am so grateful.

He said he was going for a club opening and all invitees were expected to come with a plus one and he couldn't think of a more perfect plus one other than me. I blushed when he said that.

"Thank you for all this, I don't deserve it" I said to Derrick as we stepped into the waiting limo.

"You deserve it and more. Let me adore you" he said to me, looking at me with an intensity I couldn't decipher.

The limo started moving.

"You look beautiful" he added as he took his gaze off me and cleared his throat then, gave me an awkward smile.

Is something wrong?

"What's wrong?" I asked as I touched his shoulder in concern and I heard him suck in a sharp breath.

"Nothing is wrong. Don't worry."He replied as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he relaxed into the fine leather car seat.

"Okay" I said as I did the same thing, only I dozed off but he didn't.